Gupta-Hunnic Wars

[Chimaji Appa]

1st Gupta-Hunnic War:
Belligerents: Gupta Empire, Hephtalite Confederation (Kidarites and Hephtalites)
Commanders and Leaders: Skandagupta, Unkown Huna leader
Result: GUPTA VICTORY- HUNA INVASION REPULSED.
Details:
In about the second half of the 5th century, the Gupta Empire came into conflict with the newly established Hephtalites in the Oxus and the Transoxiana (Central Asia). The Bhitari inscription testifies to the gravity of this invasion, however, Skandagupta rose to the occasion and crushed the Hephtalite/Kidarite Invasions (we can assume that there were at least 4 to 5 as the Huns most definitely came into contact with the Guptas more than once). The reasons for this success are simple, Skandagupta placed heavy emphasis on Cavalry archery, and this, along with the war elephants and heavy cavalry cataphracts (which formed the core of the Gupta army) made the Guptas a formidable force. The Hephtalites were defeated so decisively that they pestered the Sassanians, but would not bother the Guptas until about 490, when the next Gupta-Hunnic war would occur. R.C. Majumdar called Skandagupta as the "Saviour of India".

2nd Gupta-Hunnic War:
Belligerents: Gupta Empire (Along with it's feudatories Malavas, Parvirajakas, etc), Alkhon Hunas (part of the Hephtalite confederation)
Commanders and Leaders:
Gupta Empire (and it's fuedatories): Budhagupta then later Narashimagupta Baladitya, Bhangupta (Governor of Malwa) Prakashadharman of the Malavas
Alkhon Hunas: Toramana
Result: Huna Victory, Alkhons under Tormana penetrate south all the way up to Malwa, and east as far as Kausambi.
Details:
When Skandagupta died, Purugupta and Kumaragupta II succeeded him. These two emperors had unsually short reigns for about 6 and 3 years respectively, so there must have been some sort of civil war or conflict within the empire that forced the Gupta to weaken their attention on the frontiers. Furthermore, the Roman Empire had fell in about 476 AD, and the Gupta heavily traded with the Romans. This seems to coincide in the fact that the coins of the monarchs following Skandagupta seem to be of lower quality and quantity. Seeing this, the next wave of Hunas, the Alkhons, then began their campaign into India. The Alkhons, led by Toramana, broke through the weakened Gupta frontiers and began conquering the western territories of the Gupta all the way up to Eran in Madhya Pradesh, where the First Battle of Eran was fought in 510 . This battle resulted in a decisive victory of the Alkhons, and Bhanugupta, the Malwa governor, was vanquished. However, he attempted to advance further south, but was finally defeated King Prakashadharma of the Aulikaras, which were a clan of the Malavas. Toramana then decided to campaign eastwards to end the Guptas, while several of his disheartened soldiers retreated to the Panjab. Tormana is said to have died in Varanasi while campaigning against Narashimagupta Baladitya.

3rd Gupta-Hunnic War:
Belligerents:
-Gupta Empire
-Aulikaras of Malwa/Rajputana
-Parvirajakas
-Other ex-feudatories

-Alkhon Hephtalites (Hunas)

Commanders and leaders:
- Yashodharman
-Narashimagupta Baladitya
-Maharaja Hastin

-Mihirakula

Result: Coalition led by Yashodharman Victory, Hunas retire back to Central Asia
Details:
Following the Second Gupta-Hunnic War, Tormana was finally stopped by the Aulikaras under Prakashadharman, and he continued his campaign eastwards when he died in Varanasi. Mihirakula, his son and successor, continued his campaign eastwards against the Guptas, where he was finally checked by Narashimagupta and repulsed. Xuanzang credits Narashimagupta with capturing Mihirakula through guerilla warfare. This is obviously a fantasy, but Narashimagupta does seem to have checked the Hephtalites in about 520. In Central India, the Aulikaras had risen up against the Alkhons and challenged Mihirakula in the 520s, where they decisively defeated the Hunas in the Battle of Sodani. This army had also included other ex-feudatories of the Guptas, like the Parvirajakas. Maharaja Hastin, King of the Parvirajakas, is credit with many military victories and most probably took part in the alliance led by Yashodharman. The army of the Gupta, Aulikaras, and other allies, which was led by the great king Yashodharman, regained their confidence and began their campaign to reconquer most of the territories once held by the great Guptas. By about 534-540, the Alkhons were pushed back into Central Asia, where they soon lost power and collapsed..

AFTERMATH: Following their defeat at the hands of the Indian alliance, the Huna presence in India was successfully crushed, although they did survive in Afghanistan as the Turk Shahis. The Hoon clan of Rajputs may also have been the leftover remnants of the Hunas, as many of the Huna survivors retired into the Panjab/Potohari Plateau.

SOURCES:
Jain, Kailash Chand (1972). Malwa Through the Ages
R. C. Majumdar (1962). The History and Culture of the Indian People: The classical age
Ashvini Agrawal (1989). Rise and Fall of the Imperial Guptas
Roy, Kaushik (2015). Warfare in Pre-British India, 1500 BCE to 1740 CE
RC Majumdar: Ancient India
Moirangthem Pramod : The Parivrajaka Maharaja

https://uttaranachalhistory.blogspot.com/ -You can check out my blog right here, I write very detailed posts on the decisive battles as well as the commanders which have helped shaped Indian history.

 

[LurkerBaba]

When Skandagupta died, Purugupta and Kumaragupta II succeeded him. These two emperors had unsually short reigns for about 6 and 3 years respectively, so there must have been some sort of civil war or conflict within the empire that forced the Gupta to weaken their attention on the frontiers. Furthermore, the Roman Empire had fell in about 476 AD, and the Gupta heavily traded with the Romans. This seems to coincide in the fact that the coins of the monarchs following Skandagupta seem to be of lower quality and quantity. Seeing this, the next wave of Hunas, the Alkhons, then began their campaign into India.

I thought majority of Indo-Roman trade happened through sea routes.

 

[Shaitan]

I thought majority of Indo-Roman trade happened through sea routes.

Guptas took over Western Satraps territory, so they gained the ports on the Gujarat coast. Indo Scythian kingdom is mentioned by the Romans, so it's assumed they took over the trade.

 

[Tactical Frog]

Any scientific material found in Northern India that can be linked to Hephtalites (tombs, skeletons, weapons) ? In Europe we know so little about Huns, their origins and appearance. Their sudden disappearance too is a mystery.

 

[Shaitan]

Any scientific material found in Northern India that can be linked to Hephtalites (tombs, skeletons, weapons) ? In Europe we know so little about Huns, their origins and appearance. Their sudden disappearance too is a mystery.

Yes. In Kashmir there is a lot of armed huna horseriders statues around the time of Huna incursions. The artistic style is alien to India, the people depicted are as well. I dont know the meaning of the place, but to me it's basically a artistic deception of what happened to India at the time, a armed incursion of horsemen into India.

http://warfare.ga/Ancient/Hephthalite-Gool_horsemen.htm?i=1

They look like typical eastern huna, flat(skull deformation) head, pointy nose, elongated earlobes, etc.

There's also several coins depicting Huna emperors.

etc
etc

We know a lot of their features. They're a caucasian branch of C. Asians. No different to the Sakas, Kushans before them. By this time however skull deformation is popular in both Western and Eastern Huns.

 

[Shaitan]

That said, the Eastern Huns are Caucasian, but the ones in Europe may by Mongoloids.

 

[Chimaji Appa]

The Hunas probably left an impact around Afghanistan or Kashmir. It would be expected as they ruled here for the longest.

I thought majority of Indo-Roman trade happened through sea routes.

Yes, the Romans collapsed, and not much is known about Byzantine- Gupta trade. The Gupta also used the Silk roads as well, but they were blocked by the Hephtalite confederation:

The artistic style is alien to India, the people depicted are as well. I dont know the meaning of the place, but to me it's basically a artistic deception of what happened to India at the time, a armed incursion of horsemen into India.

I can agree. The Hunas probably left their mark in Potohar/Kashmir/Afghanistan. The Hoon Rajput clan seems to validate this, although I highly doubt Punjabi/Potohari Rajputs even exist.

 

[Chimaji Appa]

That said, the Eastern Huns are Caucasian, but the ones in Europe may by Mongoloids.

They must've been Mongoloid as they originated from the Mongol Steppes.

 

[Shaitan]

They must've been Mongoloid as they originated from the Mongol Steppes.

Western huns came from the steppes, but we dont know where.

 

[Shredder]

1st Gupta-Hunnic War:
Belligerents: Gupta Empire, Hephtalite Confederation (Kidarites and Hephtalites)
Commanders and Leaders: Skandagupta, Unkown Huna leader
Result: GUPTA VICTORY- HUNA INVASION REPULSED.
Details:
In about the second half of the 5th century, the Gupta Empire came into conflict with the newly established Hephtalites in the Oxus and the Transoxiana (Central Asia). The Bhitari inscription testifies to the gravity of this invasion, however, Skandagupta rose to the occasion and crushed the Hephtalite/Kidarite Invasions (we can assume that there were at least 4 to 5 as the Huns most definitely came into contact with the Guptas more than once). The reasons for this success are simple, Skandagupta placed heavy emphasis on Cavalry archery, and this, along with the war elephants and heavy cavalry cataphracts (which formed the core of the Gupta army) made the Guptas a formidable force. The Hephtalites were defeated so decisively that they pestered the Sassanians, but would not bother the Guptas until about 490, when the next Gupta-Hunnic war would occur. R.C. Majumdar called Skandagupta as the "Saviour of India".

2nd Gupta-Hunnic War:
Belligerents: Gupta Empire (Along with it's feudatories Malavas, Parvirajakas, etc), Alkhon Hunas (part of the Hephtalite confederation)
Commanders and Leaders:
Gupta Empire (and it's fuedatories): Budhagupta then later Narashimagupta Baladitya, Bhangupta (Governor of Malwa) Prakashadharman of the Malavas
Alkhon Hunas: Toramana
Result: Huna Victory, Alkhons under Tormana penetrate south all the way up to Malwa, and east as far as Kausambi.
Details:
When Skandagupta died, Purugupta and Kumaragupta II succeeded him. These two emperors had unsually short reigns for about 6 and 3 years respectively, so there must have been some sort of civil war or conflict within the empire that forced the Gupta to weaken their attention on the frontiers. Furthermore, the Roman Empire had fell in about 476 AD, and the Gupta heavily traded with the Romans. This seems to coincide in the fact that the coins of the monarchs following Skandagupta seem to be of lower quality and quantity. Seeing this, the next wave of Hunas, the Alkhons, then began their campaign into India. The Alkhons, led by Toramana, broke through the weakened Gupta frontiers and began conquering the western territories of the Gupta all the way up to Eran in Madhya Pradesh, where the First Battle of Eran was fought in 510 . This battle resulted in a decisive victory of the Alkhons, and Bhanugupta, the Malwa governor, was vanquished. However, he attempted to advance further south, but was finally defeated King Prakashadharma of the Aulikaras, which were a clan of the Malavas. Toramana then decided to campaign eastwards to end the Guptas, while several of his disheartened soldiers retreated to the Panjab. Tormana is said to have died in Varanasi while campaigning against Narashimagupta Baladitya.

3rd Gupta-Hunnic War:
Belligerents:
-Gupta Empire
-Aulikaras of Malwa/Rajputana
-Parvirajakas
-Other ex-feudatories

-Alkhon Hephtalites (Hunas)

Commanders and leaders:
- Yashodharman
-Narashimagupta Baladitya
-Maharaja Hastin

-Mihirakula

Result: Coalition led by Yashodharman Victory, Hunas retire back to Central Asia
Details:
Following the Second Gupta-Hunnic War, Tormana was finally stopped by the Aulikaras under Prakashadharman, and he continued his campaign eastwards when he died in Varanasi. Mihirakula, his son and successor, continued his campaign eastwards against the Guptas, where he was finally checked by Narashimagupta and repulsed. Xuanzang credits Narashimagupta with capturing Mihirakula through guerilla warfare. This is obviously a fantasy, but Narashimagupta does seem to have checked the Hephtalites in about 520. In Central India, the Aulikaras had risen up against the Alkhons and challenged Mihirakula in the 520s, where they decisively defeated the Hunas in the Battle of Sodani. This army had also included other ex-feudatories of the Guptas, like the Parvirajakas. Maharaja Hastin, King of the Parvirajakas, is credit with many military victories and most probably took part in the alliance led by Yashodharman. The army of the Gupta, Aulikaras, and other allies, which was led by the great king Yashodharman, regained their confidence and began their campaign to reconquer most of the territories once held by the great Guptas. By about 534-540, the Alkhons were pushed back into Central Asia, where they soon lost power and collapsed..

AFTERMATH: Following their defeat at the hands of the Indian alliance, the Huna presence in India was successfully crushed, although they did survive in Afghanistan as the Turk Shahis. The Hoon clan of Rajputs may also have been the leftover remnants of the Hunas, as many of the Huna survivors retired into the Panjab/Potohari Plateau.

SOURCES:
Jain, Kailash Chand (1972). Malwa Through the Ages
R. C. Majumdar (1962). The History and Culture of the Indian People: The classical age
Ashvini Agrawal (1989). Rise and Fall of the Imperial Guptas
Roy, Kaushik (2015). Warfare in Pre-British India, 1500 BCE to 1740 CE
RC Majumdar: Ancient India
Moirangthem Pramod : The Parivrajaka Maharaja

https://uttaranachalhistory.blogspot.com/ -You can check out my blog right here, I write very detailed posts on the decisive battles as well as the commanders which have helped shaped Indian history.

This is the sort of history we need to have in our text books. Not the incessent glorification of mughals and brits.

 

[Chimaji Appa]

Western huns came from the steppes, but we dont know where.

Most probably from the Mongol Steppes as their defeat against the Xiongnu forced them to wreack havock elsewhere.

 

[Shaitan]

Most probably from the Mongol Steppes as their defeat against the Xiongnu forced them to wreack havock elsewhere.

We just have no source. Steppe peoples constantly displace each other and spill off into eastern Europe, Iran, and India.

Only good source of that happening is from Chinese sources of Yuezhi displacement by the Xiongnu, then them displacing the Sakas. No such source linking western hun migration which part of the steppes they came from. Xiongnu displaced Cauasian tribes like the early Kushans and Mongoloid tribes alike. Both existed in the steppes.

 

[Chimaji Appa]

We just have no source. Steppe peoples constantly displace each other and spill off into eastern Europe, Iran, and India.

Only good source of that happening is from Chinese sources of Yuezhi displacement by the Xiongnu, then them displacing the Sakas. No such source linking western hun migration which part of the steppes they came from. Xiongnu displaced Cauasian tribes like the early Kushans and Mongoloid tribes alike. Both existed in the steppes.

Sadly, more reaserch needs to be done regarding these matters. The Huns made their biggest impact in Eastern Europe, the Scythians in Kurdistan/Persia, and the Aryans in India.

To be honest, Mihirakula looks really mongoloid in his coinage. I think Pahadis may have some Hephtalite input as there is no other way they can look mongoloid, unless most of them are tharus claiming things, ofc.

 

[cereal killer]

Guys I might like to add tgst Indian history after the death of Harsha is not taught anywhere. The period between 700 AD to 1000 AD is a great part of history that is neglected. How we repelled Arab invasions is forgotten. When entire Persia & Mighty Byzantine empire surrendered to Arabs we stood tall. Mohd Bin Qasim who is a hero in Pakistan is mentioned but not his relative Junaid who lost the biggest Arab battle against united hindu confederation. The Alexander of Kashmir legendary Lalitadiya Muktapida repelled his invasions in Punjab & Pratihara & Chaulakya kings defeated him in Western & South India. These dudes are the greatest rulers India has seen along with mighty Mauryas & Guptas. But sadly they are forgotten.

 

[Chimaji Appa]

Guys I might like to add tgst Indian history after the death of Harsha is not taught anywhere. The period between 700 AD to 1000 AD is a great part of history that is neglected. How we repelled Arab invasions is forgotten. When entire Persia & Mighty Byzantine empire surrendered to Arabs we stood tall. Mohd Bin Qasim who is a hero in Pakistan is mentioned but not his relative Junaid who lost the biggest Arab battle against united hindu confederation. The Alexander of Kashmir legendary Lalitadiya Muktapida repelled his invasions in Punjab & Pratihara & Chaulakya kings defeated him in Western & South India. These dudes are the greatest rulers India has seen along with mighty Mauryas & Guptas. But sadly they are forgotten.

And then they say that the Pratiharas were Huns

Also, there were 2 separate invasions. The one led by Junayd was defeated by Nagabhata in 726, while the one led by Al Hakam ibn Anwana was defeated by the Chalukya governor in 738.

 

[cereal killer]

And then they say that the Pratiharas were Huns

Well they claimed they are linked to Lakshmana brother of lord Ram so who knows. But their King Nagbhata I was a powerful king who repulsed Arab invasion of freakin Caliphate led by al Junayd & his entire troops were executed when they were trying to flee. A muslim Chronicler Suleiman called Nagabhatta the biggest enemy of Islam.

 

[cereal killer]

Also, there were 2 separate invasions. The one led by Junayd was defeated by Nagabhata in 726, while the one led by Al Hakam ibn Anwana was defeated by the Chalukya governor in 738.

Al Junayd did send two forces one to occupy Kangra or Punjab which was defeated by Lalitaditya Muktapida & another one was sent to South en route many clans were decimated until Nagabhatta armies terminated them. However you are right Chalukyans did defeat another campaign by Arabs.

 

[Chimaji Appa]

Well they claimed they are linked to Lakshmana brother of lord Ram so who knows. But their King Nagbhata I was a powerful king who repulsed Arab invasion of freakin Caliphate led by al Junayd & his entire troops were executed when they were trying to flee. A muslim Chronicler Suleiman called Nagabhatta the biggest enemy of Islam.

As for the Pratiharas being Huns, let me tell what it is based on. We are supposed to believe that an Empire (who can remember that they migrated from Mt. Abu) is somehow foreign even though they speak Indo Aryan languages and their entire recorded history takes place in North India. We are supposed to believe these cooky theories for unknown reasons, but are not allowed to question why they A) Don't look like Huns or B). Have any Turkic influences in their languages. However, we know from contemporary sources that the "Gurjaras" (people living in Gurjaradesa) are completely different from the Huns. In fact, the Dynasty ruling Gujarat (Maitrakas of Vallabhi) even took part in the fighting against the Hunas. We also know that Xuanzang, who gives very detailed accounts about the third war, does not mention any sort of strange ritual happening or is silent about any Huna King in the Pratiharas of Mandore.

Oh wait, there's more! Now we are told that it is the Gujjars that are the descendants of the Gurjara Pratiharas (whatever that means) and that they were descendants of Khazars. However, if one looks at the recorded history of Khazars, the Hephtalites who attacked India were based in Afghanistan, not georgia; the Khazars never left their country eastwards. Also, they attacked India from the Northwest, why would they migrate to the dry and infertile region of Mt. Abu/Rajputana, when they had the entire Indo-Gangetic plains to settle in. Furthermore, why is their no iranic influences in Gojri, their own language. Finally, why are Gujjars found everywhere from Afghanistan to Uttarakhand, but not in Rajasthan (meanwhile there are Gaur Brahmins and Nagar/ Vyas/Paliwal/Shrimali Brahmins who are the real descendants of the Gurjara brahmins and Pratihara Rajpoots in Ujain and Mandore).

Oh wait, theres even more. If they are really Mlecchchas, then why are their Gurjara Brahmins (such status only achieved by Vedic-Indo Aryans)? Then we are told that like a foreign horde became Khsatriya, another of them became priests. If this is so, then why is this mythical Brahmin of a Mythical Gujjar race not found in Panjab, Haryana, Afghanistan, etc.. where the real Gujjars are from. Also, if the Pratiharas and Gujjars really are Huns, then it is quite fascinating how they forgot every single word of their language. Of course, authors will continue to repeat outdated colonial nonsense, and we will be refused answers to any of our questions, as we are forced to believe this conjecture despite there being no evidence whatsoever.

 

[Chimaji Appa]

Also, there were 2 separate invasions. The one led by Junayd was defeated by Nagabhata in 726, while the one led by Al Hakam ibn Anwana was defeated by the Chalukya governor in 738.

Al Junayd did send two forces one to occupy Kangra or Punjab which was defeated by Lalitaditya Muktapida & another one was sent to South en route many clans were decimated until Nagabhatta armies terminated them. However you are right Chalukyans did defeat another campaign by Arabs.

Also, Yashovarman of Kannauj, whom lalitaditya was a vassal/ ally to for quite some time. Also, no clans were decimated, they probably just raided a bunch of civilian strongholds before being destroyed by Nagabhata and his Gurjara army (consisting of all castes), and the other feadutories (like Bappa Rawal) evicted the Arabs out of their newly conquered stronghold. One arguement I hear from Pakistanis is that "WeLl AraBs WERe BusY eLseWheRe", while Muslim accounts clearly show this invasion as a major one. When the Arabs were busy when the attacked the Chalukyas, the Chalukyas under Vikramaditya II were also more focused on the Pallavas, where much more competenet warriors than the Arabs.

 

[cereal killer]

As for the Pratiharas being Huns, let me tell what it is based on. We are supposed to believe that an Empire (who can remember that they migrated from Mt. Abu) is somehow foreign even though they speak Indo Aryan languages and their entire recorded history takes place in North India. We are supposed to believe these cooky theories for unknown reasons, but are not allowed to question why they A) Don't look like Huns or B). Have any Turkic influences in their languages. However, we know from contemporary sources that the "Gurjaras" (people living in Gurjaradesa) are completely different from the Huns. In fact, the Dynasty ruling Gujarat (Maitrakas of Vallabhi) even took part in the fighting against the Hunas. We also know that Xuanzang, who gives very detailed accounts about the third war, does not mention any sort of strange ritual happening or is silent about any Huna King in the Pratiharas of Mandore.

Oh wait, there's more! Now we are told that it is the Gujjars that are the descendants of the Gurjara Pratiharas (whatever that means) and that they were descendants of Khazars. However, if one looks at the recorded history of Khazars, the Hephtalites who attacked India were based in Afghanistan, not georgia; the Khazars never left their country eastwards. Also, they attacked India from the Northwest, why would they migrate to the dry and infertile region of Mt. Abu/Rajputana, when they had the entire Indo-Gangetic plains to settle in. Furthermore, why is their no iranic influences in Gojri, their own language. Finally, why are Gujjars found everywhere from Afghanistan to Uttarakhand, but not in Rajasthan (meanwhile there are Gaur Brahmins and Nagar/ Vyas/Paliwal/Shrimali Brahmins who are the real descendants of the Gurjara brahmins and Pratihara Rajpoots in Ujain and Mandore).

Oh wait, theres even more. If they are really Mlecchchas, then why are their Gurjara Brahmins (such status only achieved by Vedic-Indo Aryans)? Then we are told that like a foreign horde became Khsatriya, another of them became priests. If this is so, then why is this mythical Brahmin of a Mythical Gujjar race not found in Panjab, Haryana, Afghanistan, etc.. where the real Gujjars are from. Also, if the Pratiharas and Gujjars really are Huns, then it is quite fascinating how they forgot every single word of their language. Of course, authors will continue to repeat outdated colonial nonsense, and we will be refused answers to any of our questions, as we are forced to believe this conjecture despite there being no evidence whatsoever.

Absolutely our rich history has been influenced by western ideology thanks to psuedo historians. It is clear from the fact these events are totally ignored in CBSE textbooks so one may never actually learn about these events all in the name of secularism. In Medieval history taught in textbooks one each chapter has been dedicated to Mughal Kings. No mention whatsoever of Pala dynasty of the east or Ahoms who ruled Assam during Mughal rule. What baffles me most is exclusion of perhaps greatest north Indian king since Harsha, the legendary emperor of Karakota dynasty Lalitaditya Muktapida who had his vast empire in Central Asia too according to Kalhana's records. The dude who build famous Martand temple in Kashmir. Chinese Tang dynasty records also mention his name as ally. It is believed he used superior Chinese arms to defeat Arabs though it has been contradicted but still doesn't change the fact he was a great king & too big to be excluded.